by Jesse Flowers
Synopsis: Many of our religious friends and neighbors profess belief in the Bible but rely upon creeds, catechisms, and confessions. What is wrong with this approach?
More than likely, the majority of our denominational neighbors would state that they believe the Bible is the word of God (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), and that we should follow its teachings. Nevertheless, these same churches that claim to believe and follow the Bible also have creeds.
What is a creed? Merriam-Webster says that a creed is “a brief, authoritative formula of religious belief; a set of fundamental beliefs.” Collins Dictionary states that “a creed is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way people live or work; a concise, formal statement of the essential articles of Christian belief, such as the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed.”
Most denominations have and follow some creed regarding their particular faith or religion. It is possible, even probable, that many of their members are not even aware of such. However, please consider some of the serious problems—on the one hand believing in the Bible—but also using creeds.
Jesus asked the chief priests and elders of the people: “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matt. 21:25). Jesus was speaking about the authority for John’s baptism (Matt. 3:1-6; Mark 1:1-5). Was the source of John’s baptism from God or from men? If from God, it ought to be obeyed. If from men, it ought to be rejected. The same principle of truth applies to creeds. If they are from God, we must receive them, and follow their teachings. However, if they are from men, then we must reject them. From whence came creeds? Well, they are not authorized in the Scriptures (Col. 3:17), by Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) or His apostles (Acts 2:42). They originated in the hearts and imagination of men. No doubt many who put them together had good intentions, but did so without God’s approval (i.e., authority). The Lord sharply rebuked religious men who taught and practiced things based on the authority of men. He said: “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men’” (Matt. 15:7-9). Are all religious books other than the Bible wrong? Certainly not! Any book that contradicts the teachings of the New Testament is wrong and ought to be rejected. All denominational creed books conflict with the teachings of Christ and the inspired apostles.
Though the creeds of men may contain some Bible truths, they consist of many erroneous teachings. For example, Pendleton’s Church Manual says that the pardon of sins and the promise of eternal life comes “solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood” (p. 48). The Methodist Discipline states: “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort” (p. 55). However, those teachings are in direct contradiction to the inspired word of God that teaches: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (Jas. 2:24).
According to Hiscox’s Baptist Manual, “Baptism is not essential, for our churches utterly repudiate the dogma of ‘baptismal regeneration’; but it is essential to obedience since Christ commanded it. It is also essential to a public confession of Christ before the world, and to membership in the church which is His body. And no true lover of his Lord will refuse these acts of obedience and tokens of affection” (note 8, p. 21). Nevertheless, Jesus and the apostles make it abundantly clear in the New Testament that baptism IS essential for salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:21).
Almighty God made it abundantly clear in both the Old and New Testaments that men must not add or take away from His divine words (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19). We are instructed to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11), and not to think beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6). If we foolishly preach a different gospel than the gospel of Christ, we will be accursed (Gal. 1:6-9). Fellowship with God and Christ are forfeited if we neglect or refuse to abide by the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Here is the bottom line: If a human creed book contains more than the New Testament, it contains too much. If it contains less than the New Testament, it contains too little. If it exactly reflects what the New Testament reveals, no more and no less, then we have no use for it, since we already have in our possession the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25).
If the Bible contains all that we need to know and do, then what role does the denominational creed book serve? Their very existence suggests that the Bible is incomplete and inadequate in some way. Is that the case? Not if we accept what the Holy Spirit has revealed. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Notice, not “some” or “most,” but all Scripture is given by inspiration (i.e., God-breathed) of God.
Furthermore, “all Scripture” will make the man of God complete and thoroughly equip us for every good work by the teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness that it contains. Notice that the apostle Peter stated that God “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). If He has given us all things, then what else are we lacking? Jude exhorted his readers “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (v. 3). The true message of the gospel of Christ has already been delivered one time for all time. The Bible is all-sufficient in meeting every need of man and will endure forever (1 Pet. 1:25).
The Roman Catholic Catechism when taught, believed and practiced, will produce a Roman Catholic every time—not a Christian. Whenever the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are accepted and followed, it will produce a Mormon every time—not a Christian. If it is adhered to, the Baptist Manual will make a Baptist; the Methodist Discipline will make a Methodist; the Seventh-Day Adventist manual will make a Seventh-Day Adventist, etc. Yet, every single time the incorruptible seed of the word of God (Luke 8:11) is planted in the hearts of men (1 Cor. 3:6) and obeyed, it will produce a simple New Testament Christian (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 11:26; 18:8; 1 Pet. 1:22-23). Why is that? It is the unchanging truth of the seed principle. Seed will always (and only) produce after its kind (Gen. 1:12).
The New Testament exhorts Christians: “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). It is impossible to do so if and when men follow denominational creeds. Why? Denominational creeds contain and uphold conflicting doctrines, not only from the Bible but also from the various denominations. In this very same text, the apostle Paul states there is but “one faith” and “one body” (Eph. 4:4-5). The numerous denominational creeds in existence represent many faiths and many churches (Matt. 15:13). In writing to the saints in Corinth, Paul wrote: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10)—an impossibility when men accept and follow creeds, and become followers of various men rather than Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:12-13; Luke 6:46).
To accept the Bible is to reject creeds. To accept creeds is to reject the Bible. We should reject denominational creeds because they will not be the standard of judgment. In that great day, men will not be judged by fallible human creeds written to please men. They will be judged by God’s infallible word (John 12:48). Sadly many religious people who do follow them will one day hear: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:21-23; cf. 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
Hiscox, Edward T. The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches. Philadelphia : American Baptist Publication Society, 1903.
Pendleton, James M. Church Manual-Designed for the Use of Baptist Churches. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1867.
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 1972 Edition. United Methodist Pub. House, 1973.
Author Bio: Jesse has worked with the Pruett and Lobit church of Christ in Baytown, Texas for 10 1/2 years. He and his wife, April, have four children. The church website is biblework.com. He can be reached at jafopie@hotmail.com.
